Some 1362 voices adamantly against the location of the proposed Cooba Solar Farm were heard in state parliament on August 13 through a petition tabled by state Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland.
Photo by
Jemma Jones
There was 1362 signatures present on a petition tabled in Victorian parliament to reconsider the development of a solar farm in the Heathcote wine region.
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On Tuesday, August 13, state Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland brought the petition to the Legislative Assembly and called on the Victorian Government to reject the application by Venn Energy to develop the Cooba solar facility.
MPs heard from Ms Cleeland as she outlined the petition, which was launched in June, and called on the government to reconsider the application.
“This proposed renewable energy project has left community members in towns like Colbinabbin feeling frustrated and ignored, with the 665-hectare site set to consume much of the region’s prime agricultural land,” Ms Cleeland said.
“Locals have made it clear they are not against renewable projects; they just don’t believe ones like this should consume such productive land when there are several alternative options available.”
In July, state Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh visited the site proposed for the solar farm, and met with the Colbinabbin Renewable Action Group, which is asking for the location to be reconsidered.
The site of the proposed solar farm, south of Colbinabbin.
The action group believes that the proposed site, located on the eastern slope of the Mt Camel range, is “prime agricultural land”, which would breach requirements stated in the Solar Energy Facilities Design and Development Guideline.
The guideline states: “A solar energy facility should not lead to … the loss of productive, state significant agricultural land.”
Mr Walsh confirmed his support of the opposition to the Cooba Solar Farm and said he would work with Ms Cleeland to advocate for a more suitable site that is “not in the heart of such prime agricultural country”.
“With Colbinabbin having a population of less than 300 people, it is clear this issue is resonating with people from across regional communities,” Ms Cleeland said.
“I implore the minister to listen to members of the Colbinabbin community and ensure the application for this project is rejected for the sake of the local region.”
Previously a spokesperson for developer Venn Energy told the Free Press that the proposed project site had been “carefully selected by planning experts” and was already “heavily disturbed by previous cultivation and cropping”.
Venn Energy had no comment when the Free Press reached out to respond to the petition tabled by Ms Cleeland.
The Colbinabbin Renewable Action Group believes the site proposed for the Cooba Solar Farm is “highly arable” land and not suitable for a solar farm.
Photo by
Jemma Jones
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